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César's Cerulean Surprise

Part of Storytelling Math

Author Jenny Lacika
Illustrated by Laura Sandoval Herrera
Hardcover
$17.99 US
Charlesbridge
9.94"W x 9.81"H x 0.48"D  
On sale Oct 21, 2025 | 32 Pages | 9781623544393
Up to Kindergarten
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Celebrate diversity, math, and the power of storytelling!

A math picture book series for preschoolers and kindergarteners with relatable stories that reflect little kids’ everyday experience.

César wants to borrow his little sister Gabi’s brand-new cerulean crayon. She doesn't know what color that is, though, and she won't let him show her! Instead, she asks him yes-no questions to rule out crayons. It's like a game of 20 Questions—fun for Gabi and frustrating for César!

A playful exploration of logic featuring Chicanx (Mexican American) characters and Spanish color words. 

Storytelling Math celebrates children using math in their daily adventures as they play, build, and discover the world around them. Joyful stories and hands-on activities make it easy for kids and their grown-ups to explore everyday math together. Developed in collaboration with math experts at STEM education nonprofit TERC.
Jenny Lacika grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she learned to work together with an older brother and a younger brother. She graduated from MIT after discovering how math could break down walls and open doors. Jenny is the author of Again, Essie?, winner of the Mathical Award, and Beto's Berry Treasure. She lives in her hometown with her husband and two kids.

Laura Sandoval Herrera is a Brooklyn-based illustrator and designer born in Mexico. She earned her BFA in product design from Parsons School of Design and is pursuing her MFA in illustration at School of Visual Arts in New York. When she isn't drawing or painting, she's usually playing with her dog, Scribble, and her cat, Potato. This is her debut book.
www.laurasanherr.com
Jenny Lacika View titles by Jenny Lacika
Laura Sandoval Herrera View titles by Laura Sandoval Herrera
A bright story that demonstrates the ways we use math in everyday life. César wants to borrow one of his little sister’s crayons, but she won’t let him touch them. Only Gabi can give him the crayon he wants, if only she can figure out what cerulean is. Thus ensues a clever process of elimination, with territorial Gabi facing off against the increasingly frustrated ­César. It’s a window into an all-too-familiar sibling ­dynamic, a slice of life many readers can identify with. Along with the subtle math hints, both Gabi and César sprinkle in Spanish words. Further explanation can be found in an author’s note, along with interactive tips for adults, showing how to encourage the math connections during reading. VERDICT A cozy sibling-oriented spotlight on daily math usage.
—School Library Journal
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About

Celebrate diversity, math, and the power of storytelling!

A math picture book series for preschoolers and kindergarteners with relatable stories that reflect little kids’ everyday experience.

César wants to borrow his little sister Gabi’s brand-new cerulean crayon. She doesn't know what color that is, though, and she won't let him show her! Instead, she asks him yes-no questions to rule out crayons. It's like a game of 20 Questions—fun for Gabi and frustrating for César!

A playful exploration of logic featuring Chicanx (Mexican American) characters and Spanish color words. 

Storytelling Math celebrates children using math in their daily adventures as they play, build, and discover the world around them. Joyful stories and hands-on activities make it easy for kids and their grown-ups to explore everyday math together. Developed in collaboration with math experts at STEM education nonprofit TERC.

Author

Jenny Lacika grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she learned to work together with an older brother and a younger brother. She graduated from MIT after discovering how math could break down walls and open doors. Jenny is the author of Again, Essie?, winner of the Mathical Award, and Beto's Berry Treasure. She lives in her hometown with her husband and two kids.

Laura Sandoval Herrera is a Brooklyn-based illustrator and designer born in Mexico. She earned her BFA in product design from Parsons School of Design and is pursuing her MFA in illustration at School of Visual Arts in New York. When she isn't drawing or painting, she's usually playing with her dog, Scribble, and her cat, Potato. This is her debut book.
www.laurasanherr.com
Jenny Lacika View titles by Jenny Lacika
Laura Sandoval Herrera View titles by Laura Sandoval Herrera

Praise

A bright story that demonstrates the ways we use math in everyday life. César wants to borrow one of his little sister’s crayons, but she won’t let him touch them. Only Gabi can give him the crayon he wants, if only she can figure out what cerulean is. Thus ensues a clever process of elimination, with territorial Gabi facing off against the increasingly frustrated ­César. It’s a window into an all-too-familiar sibling ­dynamic, a slice of life many readers can identify with. Along with the subtle math hints, both Gabi and César sprinkle in Spanish words. Further explanation can be found in an author’s note, along with interactive tips for adults, showing how to encourage the math connections during reading. VERDICT A cozy sibling-oriented spotlight on daily math usage.
—School Library Journal

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